The burial ceremony of Raila Odinga’s long-serving bodyguard, George Odour, was clouded by politics, with various leaders using the platform to raise various issues in front of President William Ruto.
Among the issues that dominated the speeches was the drama that was witnessed during the high school drama competition, where Butere Girls refused to stage their play ‘Echoes of War,‘ a fictional drama set in a kingdom, depicting how the young people have lost faith in their leaders. It features battles with the police and has drawn parallels with last year’s protests by young people against tax rises.
Speaking on Saturday, April 12, 2025, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna urged the head of state to read the Riot Act to those deliberately sabotaging his administration.
Sifuna noted that the Butere Girls issue could not have sparked nationwide uproar had it been handled professionally.
“Kuna watu kwa serikali yako kazi yao ni kushika handball kila siku. Sasa kama hii drama yote tumeona Nakuru, ati watoto wanakatazwa kufanya mchezo, sijui wanapigwa teargas, sijui wanafukuzwa, hiyo ni mwiba wa kujidunga. Mheshimiwa Rais, wale wanafanya kazi yako ikuwe ngumu, read them the Riot Act kwa sababu tunajua kazi yako ni ngumu; wasifanye ikuwe ngumu zaidi,” Sifuna stated.
Which loosely translates to: “There are people in your government whose main work is touching handballs every day. For instance the drama we witnessed in Nakuru, where students were barred from performing a play and later teargassed, is a self-inflicted pain. For those making your more difficult as already is, read to them the Riot Act,” Sifuna stated.
Wajackoyah’s advice
Speaking during the same burial ceremony in Siaya, former presidential aspirant George Wajackoyah lamented that actions by Ruto’s government were driving a wedge between the young people and those in power.
Wajackoyah challenged Ruto to invite Butere Girls students and their teachers to State House and resolve the issue.
“Go and call the Butere Girls and their principal to State House, have tea with them, tell them thank you and then visit their school to harmonize relationships with the school kids.
“Watoto wadogo sahii wanakuchukia because of the mistake that was made by your juniors; correct them—you are the president.”
Other leaders also weighed in on the issue, including COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli, who warned against politicizing education.
However, Ruto gave the topic a wide berth but only praised his administration for stabilizing different sectors of the economy, including education and health.